davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03
OONPULS4RY VOTING
Tie Kansas CITY Star saws:

While the Legislature at Topeka is
extending municipal suffrage TO women
let il add clause assessing Il S25 poll
tax against all who have the right TO
vote providing that release may be had
from such assessment by voting, and
the state will thus have upon its sta
tutes suffrage laws that will be in adj
vance of any other state in the union
and the most perfect and Just on rec
ord. The law has been spoken of as
an experiment, but it is one in which
there would be no failure. The prin-
ciples OF the law are equitable. secur-
ing any political organization from
the evils of partial and imperfect
vote.
This is magnificent idea and we
have not the least doubt will be grasped
with avidity by our state solons, as
soon as it comes under their observa-
ton, the more especially as the idea
originates in Missouri, state so noted
for its advanced civilization. II would
be such a just and equitable law, too.
For instance, if voter happens TO be
sick abed, it will be such a pleasure to
pay SIS fine, besides doctors and drug
gists' bills. Or, if man be rail-
reader and away at his work, it would
be real nice to find himself assessed
S25 for not voting, when, perhaps he
was hundreds of miles away. No. in
deed Star, Kansas has poll tax now
of only IS, and it keeps lots of our peo-
pie just about as busy as possible to
eyade it, let alone n law like the one
you talk of.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03


from Lossing's civil War taws, Comanches
in America."1 and Cherokees
Chief John Ross, OF the Cherokee nation op-
posed him, but at length yielded to the impor-
tunities of the tribe, and struck bargain
with the Confederate agent. Pike was the
regularly accredited commissioner OF the
Confederate States of America to the Indians.
He promised to pay to the red men the nnu-
titles they had heretofore received from the
United States He also promised to take the
southern part of the Indian territory under
Confederate protection. This included the
country of the Choctaws and Chickasaws.
Pixies design was to secure in time the whole
Indian territory to the Confederacy.
The Indians raised force of 900 men for
the war. jefferson Davis had authorized
Pike to enlist three regiments. The Indian
agreement was ratified at mass meeting at
Tahlequah, the Cherokee capital. 1t was
signed by "John Ross, Principal Chief of the
Cherokee Nation" 1t was secretly against
his will, however. His wife, a young. well
educated woman, was so opposed to it that
she drove off thes men who tried to raise
Confederate flag over her house, and they
had to give up the attempt. This was the
last of August. 1851. John Ross was nearly
white, having only one-eighth Indian blood.
He was a man fit for a great leader any
where. He had cast his lot with his Indian
brethren, although his appearance gave no
sign of the dusky blood in his veins. For
more than forty years he had acted as the
Moses who led his tribe from barbarism to
civilization. He escaped north with his fam
lily in the summer of 1862
Ross Indians, however. with those of
other tribes, Joined the Confederate aemy
under Albert Pike, who was made a briga-
der general
In December, 1861, the Confederate general.
Sterling Price, who had advanced again into
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

pecial duty and privilege TO make ey-
erybody comfortable.
10. The following postofice addresses
are wanted at these headquarters for
the benefit OF pension claimants:
John Young and William Young of
Co. H.. 18th Regt., Kansas cavalry, and
Lieut.. Shields of the same command;
Albert Russell, formerly Of Tioga
county, Pennsylvania.
Capt. VIM. E. Owens, 6. g. Lowe,
Sergt. Henry A. Gilbert, all of Co. c.,
I'd q. S. infantry; Lieut.. Henry Smith.
Co. E., eth Missouri volunteers; George
w. Lawrence, late captain Co. g., Sd
Michigan cavalry; Capt. Henry Heg-
ner, Capt. Joseph Jaeger, and Lieut..
Samuel T. Dauner, late Of 18th q. s.
colored infantry.
James A. Underwood, secretary Grip
pied Soldiers association at Allegan,
Rice county, Kansas, wants the name
Of all crippled soldiers in the state.
tOficial:1 BY Order of
c. j. McDIvITT, Dept Com.
W.. T. DAVIDSON, Asst -Adj't Gen.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03
READING NEW.

Rev. NJ. Henry Smith, pastor of
Reading Congregational church of
Kansas for five years, is now laboring
in Brighton and Clarksfield, Ohio. His
family reside at Brighton. A good
parsonage there.
There have been eight hopeful con-
versions at Brighton during a series of
prayer meetings of late.
The week of prayer was observed at
Ciarksfeld and the Holy Spirit mani
festly present. The meetings were con-
tinued three weeks and the result was
the hopeful conversion of twenty-five
persons, some of them heads of fami-
lies and in middle life. The interest
for higher Christian life pervades the
hearts of protesting Chritians and
much interest felt in their weekly
prayer meetings. We hope and pray
that this blessed work may not cease
until all are led to accept Christ.
Rev. n. E. Cotton of Lyme. Ohio,
(son-in-lawl was sent for to assist i'll
the revival work.
MRS H. HENRY SMITH.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03
Enthnstnsna ia ahe East

The following enthusiastic epistle
was received at THE NEWS Office to-
day:
ty. There are thousands of eyes at this
time directed toward Lyon county and
eagerly watching the course the En-
poria people will take regarding the
railroad projects now offered the peo-
pie. Let the people of the county vote
for railroads by voting for the issuing
of bonds. a few new railroads and
Emporia will just commence to devel-
op herself. Manufactures will then
come and your city will grow with IA
rapidity that will eclipse in few
months all its former greatness. Truly,
C.. c. STOUFFER.
New Salem. O.. Feb. -. 1857.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

GEN PRICE C. s. A. would follow his
proclamation He was doomed to disappoint-
ment, in a great measure.
About 5000 MiSsourians Joined his stand
ard, but no more.
Meantime, Nov. /, 1861, Mcclellan had
been appointed commander-inch chief of all the
armies and there had been q shaking up of
generals and a new deal all around Fremont
was removed from the department of the
Missouri and the command given to Halleck.
Fremont had once driven Price out of Mis-
souri, into Arkansas. But on Fremont's re
tirement Price Immediately returned to the
old ground and issued the lively proclana-
ton.
As soon as he could getsquared about in his
new seatfat st. Louis Halleck sent Brig. Gen
Samuel r Curtis after Price with an army
which finally, including the re-enforcements
added from time to time, amounted to 12.-
D5 men. Curtis was an Ohio man, West
Point graduate, and he had been colonel i'll
the Mexican war. He had been congress
man from Iowa, and lived in that state when
the civil war broke out.
An instructive part of war history is got
from reading the correspondence and the re-
ports In the government archives. Nearly
all the generals In the field constantly beg the
department commanders for re-enforcements,
and are answered that re-enforcements are
beE-g forwarded as fast as possible
In Halleck's instruction to Curtis he con-
stantly urges the latter to keep his men to-
gether, and not let the enemy fight him in
detail Throw out your cavalry carefully"
says Ha1leck, sIike fingers to the hand, SO that
they can be drawn in on tbs main body"
Curtis, in one of his letters, declares that he
must have cavalry horses, 400 new sets of ar
tillery harness and 10000 pairs of pants"
Halleck answers back that Hpants viii be
SENT" but he cannot spare any horses
Missouri and Arkansas were the scene of
the most desperate guerrilla fighting OF the
war, and this fact Is also reflected In Curtis
letters. He tells Col Clark Wright: sThere
Is great set Of rogues about Keirsville and
hope you viii find and arrest and send back
the most of them Another Of Curtis orders
is very strict In regard to protection Of pri-
vate property. He win not permit houses to
be entered, unless for spies, arms or soldiers.
GRestrain your troops from acts of cruelty
and foil !" he directs Col Wright.
Gen Price wintered at Springfield, getting
recruits and supplies February IL, Curtis
began his march against Price, As be APP
preached, Price retreated south, and finally
went over the border into Arkansas. He
camped at q place called Cross Hollows.
Curtis cavalry followed in close pursuit.
Price retreated hastily, leaving a number Of
sick and g considerable amount OF commits
sary stores behind him He burned his bar
racks at Cross Holiows
Near this place occurred one of those out
rages Of the war which all must regret now.
Some OF Prices provisions were left at ham,
let called Mud Town. Some Confederate
officers, lefors they abandoned these. scss-
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

help, saying he could hold out no longer.
Again there was no assistance. "Persevere,"
said the commanding general. He did so,
till fourth of his men lay dead, dying and
wounded upon the field. When the left and
center were safe, and Asboth, Gen. Curtis
they found him fighting on still, with shat
tered army, and the ground for mile strswn
with his dead and wounded.
The fighting was renewed holly as ever for
a time and Asboth was wounded. Their
night fell, and both armies bivouacked upon
the field, with the dead and dying all about
them.
In the morning of March 6, there was more
fighting around Elkhorn tavern. The force
of both armies was concentrated there.
SiCels men with several heavy batteries bore
the brunt of it. Gen. Davis opened a cross
fire on the Confederate left. Cannon thunder
and iron hail filed the air with terror, till at
last the Confederates could endure it no
longer. Their batteries were plsnted upon
the hills of Pea Ridge. They turned to fly,
and Sigelis men were dashing up the hills
after them. It was picturesque sight.
Curtis says in his report:
"The upward movement Of the gallant
Thirty sixth Illinois, with its dark blue line
OF men and its cleaning bayonets, steadily
rose from base to summit, where it dashed
forward, driving and scattering the enemy
from these commanding heights"
So ended the battle of Pea Ridge. It was
not a victory for either side. but it ended the
fighting in that part of Arkansas and Mis-
souri,. 1t was fought in a corner near the
border line of three states, Missouri, Arkan-
sas, Kansas and the Indian Territory. Van
Dorm encamped with his men eight miles
from the battle field, and buried his dead I'M
der flag of truce Then he went his way
south of Boston mountains, getting of
with nearly all his baggage The loss on
each side was about 900. Both armies had
had enough of fighting for a time. Curtis
encampeG at keitsville to rest and care for
his men
Pixies Indians tomahawked their fallen foes
and scalped and mutilated them. A Confed-
crate officer, in letter to The Richmond
Wing, declared that he the Texans doing
the same thing. On the other hand, Van
Dorm charged that some of Sigel's men muir
dered several prisoners of war in cold blood.
1t must be remembered that Pea Ridge was e
specimen Of border warfare.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

souri, His proclaim CHIEF JOHN ROSS.
alton fell with from Lossing's Civil Var
ring: 1Are Missou- in America-'l
rians no longer true to themselves" he said
SAre they a tinid, time-serving. race, fit
only for subjugation to a. despot2
Awake, my countrymen! Come
to US, brave sons of the Missouri
valley! Rally to our Standard must have
$4,000 men. = Do you stay at home TO
secure terms with the enemya Then 1 warn
you the day soon may come when you will
be surrendered to the mercies of that enemy,
and your substance given to the Hessians and
Jayhawkers. Leave your property to take
care of itself. Come to the army of the Mis-
souri,, not for a week or a month. but to free
your country. = !, at least, will never
see the chains fastened upon my country. l
will ask for six and one-half feet of Missouri
soil in which to repose, for will not live to
see my people enslaved!''
tGen. Sterling Price went through the war and
after 1t closed migrated to Mexico. He was
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03
THE FIGHT A7PHl RIDGE.
Sket~h of the Most Uncivilized
Battle Of the Civil War.
INDIANS TAKE A HAND.
The Authorities Have Not Decided to
This Day Which Whipped.

Federal and Confederate Armies Fight
Two DAYS and Then withdrsw-POr-
traits OF the Leaders on Both Sides.
Albert Pixies Indians Use TOrnahawks
and scalping Knives-Gen. Van DOrn'S
ProcIamation-A Fierce Battle whose
Story Has Not Been Fully written.
The battle Of Pea Ridge was fought Fri
day and Saturday, March z and 8, 1862. The
dead were buried ON Sunday. If the fight
hal taken place east of the Mississippi it would
have taken a prominent place in history.
But it was fought in the northwestern corner
of Arkansas. Railroads had scarcely pene-
trated into that region yet, and telegraphs
were mysterious things which a good many
people did not even believe in. Therefore
the full history Of Pea Ridge has never been
written. Yet that fight is entitled to one
unhappy distinction: 1t was the most rbar-
GUS battle Of the civil war.
During tile first years of the war, the south
had better generals than the north. As early
as the summer of 1851, the Confederacy sent
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

From Lossing's Civil War reached camp at
IN America-"l Boston mountains
March 2. 1862. A salute OF forty guns was
fired to welcome him, and he addressed the
troops He issued a proclamation to this
effect:
HSoldiersl behold your leader! He comes
to show you the way to glory and immortal
renown- He comes to hurl back the minions
of the despots at Washington, whose ignor-
ance, licentiousneSs and brutality are equaled
only by their craven natures. The
flag of our country is waving on the southern
borders of Missouri, planted there by my
hands, under authority from our chief magis-
trate Shall it wave there in melan-
choly loneliness, as a fall leaf in our primeval
forests, or shall its beautiful field and bright
stars faunt in the breeze over the bright bat
talions of Arkansas, of Texas and of Louisi-
ana, as they are marshaling to do battle with
Missouri for victory, for honor and for indie
pendencel Awake, young men of Arkansas.
and arml Beautiful maidens Of Louisiana,
smile not on the craven youth who may lin,
ger by your hearth when the rude blast of
war is sounding in your ears! Texas chiv-
airy, to arms!"
Price had not retreated to Boston mountains
because he did not mean to fight. He wished
to gain time for reinforcement, and also a
favorable position for battle. He was joined
by Gen. McColloch and by Albert Pike with his
Indians. On the morning of March 5, Gen.
Van Dorm moved forward at the head Of
about %, 600 troops, under Gems. Price, Nc
CulIoch Mcintosh and Pike
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

Halleck's orders to Curtis had been to keep
the enemy south of Boston mountains. But
small detachments of his troops had been left
as guards here and there along the route, as
he followed after Price, till his army had be-
come stretched out very thin. They had
marched into Arkansas travelling at the rate
of twenty miles a day, an extraordinary
march under the circumstances Curtis
force was much smaller than the REINFORCED
Confederate army. Curtis therefore fell back
north from the neighborhood Of Boston
mountains and took position nearer to Mis-
souri,, at Bentonville. He had retreated from
Fayetteville. Van Dorm followed and the
Confederate army became in turn the pursuer.
Curtis resolved to dispose his forces about
Sugar creek, near Bentonville, and await the
battle which he saw must come.
Until he reached Sugar creek. however, he
was not aware of Van Dorn's arrival in the
Confederate camp. It made things look
shalxy for his little army, % 900 against 70 600,
but Curtis did not weaken. 1t was too late
to run, if he had wanted to.
The reader will see from the map the dispo-
sition of the forces on each side. Sugar creek
flows first westward through mountain de-
file, then northward, skirting a clump Of
mountains. The westerly portion OF the
clump is called Pea Ridge. Thence the battle
gets its name. It is also sometimes called the
battle of Elkhorn tavern, from house in
the eastern part of the mountain group.
In the map the black, broken lines to the
northward indicate the Confederate troops,
the open ones a little south OF them the
Federals. By skillful movement Van
Dorm had thanked Curtis on the night of
March and gained his rear. This threatened
to cut OFF Curtis communication with Spring
field, Mo-, and his supplies The aspect was
black enough.
Gen. Franz Sige1 distinguished himself hon.
orably in a skirmish on March 6. His camp
was the most westerly of Curtis forces, being
near Bentonville, which appears on the map.
Van Dorm passed through that town on his
way northward to get in Curtis rear. By
skillfully covering his right flank with a cav
airy movement Sigel managed to get off with
his whole supply train and convey it to Sugar
creek. About 600 men and five pieces of light
artillery were behind at Bentonville, and in a
moment they were surrounded with Confed-
crate cavalry and infantry. Sigel himself
was fortunately with them, however, having
staid with the rear guard. He handled the
brave 600 SO sldllfully, now fighting, now re-
treating, always nearer TO Curtis and Pea
Ridge, that he managed to bring them nearly
all off in safety, over distance of ten miles.
Sigel Is now United States pension agent at
New York.
Curtis's front was to the south, from which
direction he expected the enemy to come
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03
RniIroad " eting.

We received letter from W. IL. An
derson of Americus yesterday asking
us to announce that railroad meeting
has been called for Admire City on
Friday evening, March Il. to be adj
dressed by Hon. l.. Finch of Burlin-
game, John w. 10y and w. IL. Ander-
son of Americus, l. f. Lambert
and j. NJ. MeCown of En-
poria, and others. Also q meeting for
Americus on Saturday evening. the
18th, to be addressed by Hon. II. o.
Cans, j. w. 10y, I. f. Lambert and
J. VI. McCown.
These meetings, we presume, have
been called by the local committees in
that section of the country, and will
no doubt be generally attended.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

The surprise was complete Not till the
morning of March z, did Curtis discover
what his enemy was up to- Then with the
utmost haste he wheeled his men about and
changed rear to front, and stretched his army
in line of battle across Pea Ridge. Van
Dornfs force was twice as large as his own,
and included Indians and border Texans.
Curtis battle line extended east and west
across Pea Ridge between three and four
miles from Sugar creek to Elkhorn tavern
With this hastily changed Federal front, the
two armies faced each other Like this:
Confederates on the north, Federals on the
south:
Mccullough. Mcintosh, Price.
Gross Timber Hollow.
Sigel, Asboth, Davis. Carr.
The names are those of Van DornAs and
Curtis division commanders Gen Alexander
Asboth had charge of Curtis cavalry and
artillery. Gross Timber Hollow was deep
and difficult ravine, covered with fallen trees,
between the two armies. Through this hollow
they had to reach each other.
Col. Osterhaus, of Chicago, opened the
fight by an attack on Van Dorn's center
at 1870 In the morning, March z. Just as he
commenced this movement word was hastily
brought to Curtis that his pickets had been
driven In.
So the battle was begun. Soon there was
tremendous fighting. The woods swarmed
with Confederates, who seemed to spring from
the ground Carr's division, on the extreme
right, had been heavily attacked, and Oster-
haus was driven back Curtis had ordered
Gen. Davis to the relief OF Carr on the right,
but OsteThans' men came tying back upon
the center. The order to Davis was counter
rsaanded, and be was told to stay and help
Osterhaus. He quickly changed his line of
march under fire. Very shortly Gen. Davis
found himself and OsteFhaus fighting McCul-
Ioch, Mcintosh, Pike and all Pixies Indians,
with the poet and John Ross at the head Of
them. Back he and Osterhaus wavered. and
then gathered strength and advanced again.
They swayed back and forth in a storm Of
shot An at once the Eighteenth Indiana
came sweeping down upon the flank and rear
Of the Confederate center with ball and
bayonet. It settled the fortune of thu day
then The Confederates broke and fed
Both Gems AcCulloch and Mcintosh fell
mortaIIy wounded Their forces tried 20 re-
form, but sEgel cans up with two batteries
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03

called of God and the common people.
The time comes when every Christian
shall be preacher-and every preach
er a Christian. That was the trouble
with Profs. Swing and Smythe. They
came out from the theological ice
bergs of Westminster and AndOYer, and
crept into the open sunlight of Gods
to damn twenty-four tWenty-fifths of
the human race every thirty years, and
orthodoxy spit at them. Let Prof.
Swing alone His Christ-lit conscience
is its own pope. To his own Lord he
stands or falls. There is no other
popery than that. The Bible is not
sealed. Goa is not dead. His voice
has not ceased its wonderous and un-
utterable music He .breathes and
speaks to-day, but we can not discern
the signs of the times.
On Sunday evening last, MIR. Vroo-
man was requested to repeat the SER
mon. When he arrived at the church,
however, ingress was rather difficult,
two members of the church, who were
opposed to Mr.. Vrooman's acting as
pastor. having locked the church and
hidden the keys, in order that he might
not be able to preach the sermon men
toned, inasmuch as it was offensive
to them, on account of some brief and
| pointed remarks regarding their pre-
vious actions, the aforesaid action hay-
ing been an earnest egort on their part
to make vacancy in the pastorate Of
the Third Presbyterian church. Mr..
Vrooman and his supporters were not
to be baffled by such,a frail barrier as a
| locked door. so went to the back of the
church, entered through window,
| opened the front doors and the build
ing rapidly filed. Mr.. Vrooman then
preached his sermon.
After the sermon a meeting was
called according to announcement, and
Mir. Vrooman rendered his resigna-
ton. 1t was voted unanimously not
! to accept the resignation. Mr.. Vroo-
man stated that it must be done, and
| the chairman asked if some one would
move to reconsider. No one in the
house stirred, when Air. Vrooman a
| third time arose and said: Friends,
while L appreciate your kind feelings,
since what has happened here during
all these five months, and since what
has happened here tonight, can not
stay, will not stay. The thing is i'm
perative, and my dictionary gives just
one definition of that word.'' y mo-
ton to the effect that it be laid on the
table until the following Wednesday
evening was put and carried, and after
the song the meeting was dismissed.
The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03


TIT; Lawrence Tribune says: The
citizens of Lebo. Coffey county, recent
ly held meeting in the interest of the
extension of the Carbonate branch
through that town, and from there to
Emporia. There seems to be lively
interest manifested by the people all
along the line of this proposed road.
The people of Usage City and Emporia
are anxious that the road be built. and
when there is so much talk and such a
lively interest manifested in the enter
prise, something is apt to be done.
The people Of Lawrence are equally
anxious that the road should be ex-
tended to some point that will insure
its operation and add to the business
Of the city,